Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big Sur. You can fly direct to San Francisco and drive, or connect to Monterey and drive from there.

I would not do this as a 3 day trip from DC.

+1. I love Big Sur and it's barely do-able as a 3 day trip from SF.

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. We can go any time in 2025. I also suggested Key West, as we love the keys, but I think DH is looking to for somewhere we've never been. Sedona is an interesting suggestion. I'll have to look into that some. I love some outdoorsy adventures, but I think DH wants mostly relaxing with a nice dinner and some things to see.

Key West. Fly direct from DCA. It's close and easy and has a little bit of everything - bars, live music, art, fine dining, fishing, water sports, beaches, house porn, gardens, snorkeling, history,...you name it.

Anonymous wrote:Big Sur. You can fly direct to San Francisco and drive, or connect to Monterey and drive from there.

I would not do this as a 3 day trip from DC.

Big Sur. You can fly direct to San Francisco and drive, or connect to Monterey and drive from there.

I thought Nashville was cheesy. I'd go to Maine in the summer or coastal California during the other seasons.

I'm a theater nut, so I'd go to NYC and see as many shows as I can.

Depends on the time of year. In winter/spring, I'd go to Charleston.

In summer/fall, I'd pick the NE somewhere, maybe Burlington, VT.

Santa Fe
New Orleans
Key West
San Antonio

Since your vacation time is 3-4 days, I would prioritize a short flight from DC. A fun/interesting city that you haven't been to before... Chicago? Charleston? St Louis? Boston? Atlanta?

Are you going in the summer? I like outdoorsy trips too... maybe fly into Portland or Bangor, ME?

Santa Fe, Chicago, New Orleans, Charleston…

Anonymous wrote:This board can be snobby abut Nashville but I really like it. Lots to do, a good restaurant scene, cool hotels. Easy to avoid the overly touristy stuff.
I’d personally do Santa Fe, Scottsdale or Sedona. I’ve never been and have always wanted to see that part of the country, plus easy flights and warm weather.

I lived there for a few years and agree. It's very easy to just go to Broadway and let the wind carry you to touristy stuff but it's also easy to do some research and have a more interesting experience.

Do you need to travel during specific dates or seasons?

Besides "stuff to do" and one nice dinner, what are your interests, e.g. hiking, kayaking, luxury shopping, live music?

This board can be snobby abut Nashville but I really like it. Lots to do, a good restaurant scene, cool hotels. Easy to avoid the overly touristy stuff.
I’d personally do Santa Fe, Scottsdale or Sedona. I’ve never been and have always wanted to see that part of the country, plus easy flights and warm weather.

We have three nights and airfare covered to go anywhere in the continental US. We plan to go without kids. Where would you go? We've never been to Nashville, so considering that, but trying to think of other options. We'd like to have some stuff to do with at least one really nice dinner option, but definitely want more of a relaxing few days. Prefer a direct flight out of DC.